Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
The Pi-^inces' Offerings for (he NUMBERS VII. Dedication of the Altwr cording to models with which they had been familiar. Each wagon was drawn by two oxen, and a greater number does not seem to have been employed on any of the different occasions mentioned in Scripture. Oxen seem to have been generally used for drauglit in ancient times among otlier nations as well as the Hebrews; and they continue still to be employed in dragging the few carts which are in use in some parts of Western Asia. [Kitto.] gave them unto the Levites—The principle of distribution was natural and judicious—Tlie Merarites having twice the number of wagons and oxen appropriated to them that the Gershonites had ; obviously because, wliile the latter had charge only of the coverings and hangings —the light but precious and richly-embroidered drapery— the former were appointed to transport all the heavy and bulky materials—the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets— in short, all the larger articles of furniture. Wlioever thinks only of the enormous weight of metal, the gold, sels, had been anointed (Leviticus 8. 10), the Levites sepn rated to the sacred service—the numbering of the people, and the disposal of the tribes about the tabernacle, in a certain order, wliicli was observed by the princes in the presentation of their offerings. This would fix the period of tlie imposing jeremonial described in tliis chapter about a montli after tlie completion of tlie tabernacle. '4,
3. Tlie princes of Israel . . . broiigUt their offering beir«>re t!«e Lord—The finisliing of the sacred edifice would,
It ma.v well be imagined, be hailed as an auspicious occasion, diffusing great .joy and thankfulness tliroughout the wliole population of Israel. But the leading men, not content with participating in the general expression of satisfaction, distinguished themselves by a movement, which, while purely spontaneous, was at the same time so appropriate in the circumstances, and so ccinal in cliaracter, as indicates it to have been the result of concert and previous arrangement. It was an offer of the means of carriage, suitable to the migratory state of the nation in the wilderness, for transporting the tabernacle from place to place. In the pattern of tliat sacred tent exhibited on the mount, and to which its symbolic and typsilver, brass, &c., that were on the bases, chapiters, and pillars, &c., will probably come to the conclusion that four wagons and eight oxen were not nearly sufficient for the conve.yance of so vast a load. Besides, the Merarites were not very numerous, as they amounted only to 3200 men from thirty years and upward; and, therefore, there is reason to suppose that a much greater number of wagons would afterwards be found necessary, and be furnislied, than were given on this occasion. [Calmet.] Others, who consider the full number of wagons and oxen to be stated in tlie sacred record, suppose that the Merarites may have carried many of the smaller things in tlieir hands—the sockets, for instance, which being each a talent weight, was one man's burden. (2 Kings 5. 23.) The Kobathites had neither wheeled vehicles nor beasts of burden assigned them, because, being charged with the transport of the furniture belonging to the holy place, the sacred worth and character of the vessels entrusted to them (see on eh. i, ical character required a faithful adherence, no provision haH been made for its removal in the frequent journey Ings of the Israelites. That not being essential to the plan of the Di vi he architect, was left to be accomplished by voluntary liberality; and whether we look to the judicious character of the gifts, or to the public manner in which they were presented, we have unmistakable evidence of the pious and patriotic feelings from which they emanated, and the extensive interest the occasion produced. The offerei-8 were "the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers," and the offering consisted of six covered wagons or little cars, and twelve oxen, two of the princes being partners in a wagon, and each furnishing an ox. 4, 5. The Ijord spake unto Moses saying, Take if of them, that they may be to do the service of the tnl)ernacle of the congregation—They exhibited a beautiful example to all who are great in dignity and in wealth, to Ije foremost in contributing to the support and in promoting the interests of religion. The strictness of the injunctions Moses had received to adhere with scrupulous fidelity to the divine model of the tabernacle probably led him to doubt whether he was at liberty to act in this matter without orders. God, however, relieved him by declaring His acceptance of the free-will offerings, as well as by giving Instructions as to the mo<le of their distribu-
15) demanded a more honourable mode of conveyance. These were carried by those Levites shoulder-high. Even in this minute arrangement every reflecting reader will perceive the evidence of Divine wisdom and lioliness ; and a deviation from the prescribed rule of duty led, in one recorded instance, to a manifestation ofholy displeasure, calculated to make a salutary and .solemn impression. (2S,'imuel 6. 6-13.) 10,11. The princes offered for dedicating of the altar, &c.—" Altar" is here used in the singular for the plural ; for it is evident, from the kind of ofl'erings, that the altars of ljurnt offering and incense are botli referred tion among the Levites. It is probable that in doing so, He merely sanctioned the object for which they were offered, and that the practical wisdom of the offerers had previously determined that they should be distributed " unto the Levites, to every man according to liis service ;" to. This was not the first or proper dedication of those altars, which had been made by Moses and Aaron some time before. But it might be considered an additional dedication—those offerings being the first that were made for particular persons or tribes. They shall offer each prince on his day, &c.—Eastern princes were accustomed anciently, as they are in Persia still on a certain yearly festival, to sit upon their thrones in great state, when the princes and nobies, from all parts of their dominions, appear before them with tributary presents, which form a largo proportion of their royal revenue. And in the offering of all gifts or presents to great personages, every article is presented singly and with ostentatious display. The tabernacle being the palace of their great King, as well as the sanctuary of their God, the princes of Israel may be viewed, on the occasion under notice, as presenting their tributary offerings, and in the same manner of successive detail, which accords with the inimeniorial usages of the East. A day was set apart for each, as much for the imposing solemnity and .splendour of the ceremony, as for the prevention of disorder and hurry; and It i. P., more or fewer were assigned to eacli of the LevHical divisions, as their department of duty seemed to require. This divine sanction it is of great importanpe to notice, as establishing the principle, that, while in the great matters of divine worship and church-government we .ire to adhere faithfully to the revealed rule of faith and <luty, minor arrangements respecting them may be lawfully made, according to the means and convenience of God's people in different places. "There is a great deal left to human regulation—appendages of undoubted convenience, and which it were as absurd to resist on the ground that an express warrant cannot be produced for them, as to protest against the convening of the people to divine service, because tliere is no Scripture for the erection and ringing of a church bell." [Chai.mkrs.1 6-9. Moses took the wagons and the oxen—The Heb. word seems to be fairly renderi:d by the word "wagons." Wheel carriages of some kind are certainly intended ; and as they were covered, the best Idea we can form of them Is, that they bore some resemblance to our tilted wagons. That wheel carriages were anciently used In Egypt, and In what Is now Asiatic Turkey, Is attested, not only by history, but by existing sculptures and paintings. Some of these the Israelites might have brought with them at their departure; and others, the skilful artisans, who did the mechanical work of the tabernacle, could easily have constructed, acis observable that, in the order of offering, regard was paid to priority not of birth, but of rank and dignity as they were ranked in the camp—beginning at the cast, proceeding to the south, then to the west, and closing with the north, a<'cording to the course of the sun. 13-17. He that offered his offering the llrst day, Naltslioii . . . of th* tribe of .Tnduh, &c.—Judali having had the ;<vecedcnce assigned to it, the prince or head of tnat tribe was the first admitted to offer as Its representative ; aiiu bl6 offering, as well that of the others. Is thought, fioa